Tag Futebol

Pep may have found Man City's own Lewis-Skelly in "unbelievable" gem

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

It is fair to say that Manchester City are making a concerted effort to bring down the average age of their squad.

In January, they signed Juma Bah (18), Nico González (23), Vitor Reis (19), and Abdukodir Khusanov (21), while Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, aged 34 and 33 respectively, could both be on their way out of The Etihad.

Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov in action with Chelsea'sNicolasJackso

While hundreds of millions will be spent on new signings, Man City may have unearthed a top-quality youngster from within their own youth system, one that is now being compared to one of the breakout stars of this Premier League season.

Myles Lewis-Skelly's impact at Arsenal

Few had heard of Myles Lewis-Skelly just six months ago, considering the teenager only made his full Premier League debut against Everton as recently as 14 December.

Now, though, despite still having made fewer than 30 senior appearances for the Gunners, he is their undisputed first-choice left-back.

Adam Bate of Sky Sports outlines how the 18-year-old has enjoyed an astronomical rise, boasting the ‘swagger’ of someone well beyond his years, while Simon Collings of the Evening Standard believes he ‘announced himself on the big stage’ against Real Madrid this week.

Last month, Lewis-Skelly became the youngest debutant to score for England, coolly slotting through Thomas Strakosha’s legs after just 20 minutes against Albania at Wembley.

So, while the Hale End home-grown hero continues to impress at Arsenal, have Manchester City found their answer to him?

Man City's own Myles Lewis-Skelly

A goal down against Bournemouth, Manchester City’s FA Cup hopes appeared to be slipping away by the South Coast.

In response, Pep Guardiola made a half-time alteration in Dorset, introducing Nico O’Reilly at left-back, pushing Joško Gvardiol into the heart of the Man City defence.

Well, even Guardiola could not have envisaged how well this switch would go because, within seconds, O’Reilly had put the ball on a plate for Erling Braut Håland to equalise, before also setting up Omar Marmoush’s winner.

Afterwards, Guardiola hailed O’Reilly’s impact as “unbelievable”, adding “he’s going to play in semi-final for sure”, while Ben Fisher of the Guardian labeled this tactical tweak as a ‘masterstroke’, with O’Reilly’s ‘seemingly bottomless energy’ changing the game in Man City’s favour.

Similar to Lewis-Skelly, O’Reilly is a midfielder by trade, with Emlyn Begley of BBC Sport documenting that he’s really ‘an attacking midfielder’ but a ‘flexible’ one at that.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old has found a home at left-back, starting against both Leicester and Manchester United since his second-half cameo at Dean Court.

So, let’s see how he and Arsenal’s teenage star compare.

Nico O’Reilly vs Myles Lewis-Skelly (24/25) comparison

Statistics

O’Reilly

Lewis-Skelly

Appearances

12

29

Minutes

717

1,621

Goals

3

1

Assists

2

2

Chances created

10

9

Attempted passes

426

783

Passing accuracy

90.86%

92.89%

Through-balls

2

10

Ball recoveries

37

59

Touches per 90

94

62

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and Squawka

As the table above outlines, O’Reilly and Lewis-Skelly are very similar stylistically, which isn’t too surprising, even if the Arsenal man having played almost twice the number of minutes across all competitions to date.

Interestingly, O’Reilly registers significantly more touches per 90, while he’s also more of a goal-threat, emphasising the point that, if given the choice, he’d play as an attacking midfielder.

Thus, likely to be deployed at left-back against Crystal Palace on Saturday, O’Reilly is certainly going to be put to the test, considering how dangerous Daniel Muñoz and Ismaïla Sarr are as a duo down the Eagles’ right-hand-side.

Pep identifies "world class" star as Man City's dream De Bruyne replacement

After Kevin De Bruyne announced he will be leaving Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is targeting a “world-class” Premier League star to replace him.

By
Ben Gray

Apr 11, 2025

Pink-ball theatre: Unplayable deliveries, unbelievable catches and T20 batting in Test cricket

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

And that was not all. West Indies picked up three injuries and had to manufacture an entirely new opening pair

Andrew McGlashan13-Jul-2025

Justin Greaves celebrates dismissing Alex Carey•Associated Press

A lot happened on the opening day at Sabina Park, and not just with the ball – although that certainly did .One of the greatest spinners of all time was left out. Australia lost 7 for 68 under lights. Batters went into T20 mode in the third session of a Test. Jayden Seales bowled a worldie of a delivery. A substitute fielder took a worldie of a catch. West Indies picked up three injuries and had to manufacture an entirely new opening pair.Day-night Tests can have a strange tempo to them in that, for periods, things can move at a sedate pace, as if setting up for that final session under lights before moving at a breakneck speed. Early in the last session, around the time Beau Webster was dismissed shortly after Steven Smith, Australia shelved the idea of batting normally. At one point, it was worth pondering if Pat Cummins may declare, but the lower order kept swinging until West Indies had 45 minutes to face.

****

On its own, leaving out a spinner on a well-grassed pitch for a pink-ball Test shouldn’t really scream selection shock. But this spinner has 562 Test wickets. The day before, Cummins had sown the seeds for a selection call that, while having plenty of logic behind it, still came with a lot of significance.About half an hour before the toss, Nathan Lyon was kicking a football on his own. A couple of backroom staff wandered up to him. There was a tap on the shoulder from one. Then Scott Boland took the tape measure and marked out his run-up. For the first time in 12 years, Lyon wasn’t included in the XI when he’s been fit.Related

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He had bowled one over against India last season in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and wasn’t needed under lights against England in Hobart during the 2021-22 Ashes. But overall, he has been prolific with the pink ball. Australia have got creative with selection on the subcontinent in recent years, but this was still a surprise.”It’s odd not having him out there,” Smith said. “I think most of us have played pretty much every game with him, but conditions are conditions. I think we saw today how much seam was on offer and Scott Boland’s not too bad at that, as we’ve seen on numerous occasions. Obviously, Nathan’s an exceptional bowler, it’s certainly nothing to do with his skill that’s for sure.”

****

When debutant Kevlon Anderson spilled Sam Konstas at third slip, you feared if West Indies were going to have another fielding nightmare. By tea – the first interval, not the second, in the world of day-night Tests, although can anyone actually agree on what to call them? – they only had one wicket to show for their efforts but had beaten the bat regularly amid sometimes extravagant seam movement.”I think some of the numbers early on, the seam amounts were through the roof,” Smith said. “They might have bowled just a fraction short. It looks pretty sometimes when the ball misses the bat, but when it’s a little bit shorter, it’s actually going too far to catch the edge on a lot of occasions.”Steven Smith and Co went into T20 mode in the third session of a Test•Associated PressBut early in the middle session, Shai Hope pulled off a spectacular catch to remove Usman Khawaja, flying one-handed towards first slip. It was another around-the-wicket dismissal for Khawaja but it had been a gutsy stay. Hope, meanwhile, had taken a terrific catch in Grenada to remove Travis Head and his return to Test cricket as a wicketkeeper has been very solid.Still, shortly before the dinner interval, Australia were sitting nicely on 129 for 2. Then Seales produced one of the deliveries of the series to remove a well-set Cameron Green: angled into middle from wide of the crease, nipping off the seam, zipping past the edge and trimming the bails. Sometimes you really do get a good one.”The ball did a lot more today than it did throughout the entire series,” Seales said. “There were a lot of plays and misses, and not enticing the edges as we did in the previous matches. But as the movement calmed down and the pitch calmed down a bit, it was easier to get wickets.”

****

After dinner, with the lights in full effect, Smith wasn’t going to hang around. He edged one wide of second slip, slashed one over the cordon then nicked a big drive to first. “Throw the kitchen sink at it,” he said when asked about his thinking. “Any width, I was just trying to climb into it. It felt pretty tricky out there and it felt like when the ball was up there and you get a good look at it, have a go at it.”Webster soon fell and it was clear Australia weren’t going to try and see out the day. “We knew that Australia wanted to bowl under the lights, so they would push and see how much they could get,” Seales said.Substitute Anderson Phillip pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Travis Head•Associated PressWith Head and Alex Carey at the crease, Australia had a pair who could cause damage in a short period of time. Carey, especially, continued to strike the ball crisply. Then Head tried to drive Justin Greaves over extra cover. Off the bat, he appeared to have placed it well enough. But Anderson Phillip, on as one of three substitute fielders, sprinted to his right at mid-off, dived full length, held the catch horizontal to the ground and managed to cling on as he hit the turf. “Great effort, great effort, great catch,” Ian Bishop said on commentary. “It had to be a fast bowler to do it, great athleticism.”

****

Left with 45 minutes to bat, neither designated opener could come out for West Indies. Mikyle Louis had jarred his knee in the outfield – his prognosis did not sound promising – and John Campbell took a blow on the chest at short leg from a hard sweep by Smith.It felt like Mitchell Starc, in his 100th Test, could take a wicket nearly every ball. Then he did: Anderson dragging on in what was one of the tougher debut scenarios to imagine. Starc went to 396 Test wickets. Those four more may not be long in coming.Campbell, who had gone to the hospital for a scan, was back at the ground and set to bat No. 3. But it’s understood that he couldn’t get his kit on in time, so it was over to captain Roston Chase. It was that sort of day.

How Akash Madhwal engineered his way into IPL record books

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A civil engineering graduate, Madhwal had bowled only with a tennis ball until 2018. Now he is filling in for Jasprit Bumrah

Shashank Kishore and Daya Sagar25-May-20231:25

Have Mumbai found a specialist death bowler in Madhwal?

On Wednesday night, Akash Madhwal etched himself into IPL folklore. In the Eliminator in Chennai, he picked up 5 for 5, the joint-most economical IPL figures alongside Anil Kumble, to stun Lucknow Super Giants.It was a spell of the kind he had always dreamt of when he used to mimic bowling actions at the project site where he was employed as a civil engineer. Perhaps this is what he meant when, after the game against Gujarat Titans in early May, where he dismissed Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill and David Miller, he told the broadcaster: “These are not my best figures, my best is yet to come.”Madhwal’s words reflected his quiet confidence. Last week, in a must-win game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, his four wickets and a terrific penultimate over was the difference between Mumbai having to chase 201, as opposed to 220. The highlights were the wickets of a marauding Heinrich Klaasen and Harry Brook.Related

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  • No Bumrah or Archer? The spirit of Mumbai shines through

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  • Mumbai Indians overcome LSG by playing 100% pure T20 cricket

Coming from a middle-class family in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Madhwal would see his neighbour, Rishabh, dedicate considerable time and effort towards training. While Madhwal, who went on to graduate with an engineering degree, casually played tennis-ball cricket with his friends, he would see Rishabh play with the hard ball.When he saw Rishabh train under coach Avtar Singh around 2013-14, Madhwal too was inspired to give professional cricket a shot. Rishabh would soon leave Uttarakhand and move to Delhi. Madhwal would realise only much later that his neighbour was destined for greatness. The boy he had known as Rishabh all along would announce himself to the world as Rishabh Pant.While Pant would move to Delhi to further his cricketing aspirations, Madhwal stayed back in Roorkee hoping to make something of his late initiation into the game. The turning point came in 2019 when Uttarakhand called for trials for the senior team in the second year of their existence.Akash Madhwal made history with his figures of 5-5 in the Eliminator•Associated PressWasim Jaffer, who was roped in as one of the coaches, was impressed by the raw pace and natural ability when he shortlisted Madhwal to be part of the senior state camp. Two months later, he made his state team debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And incredibly, within two years of playing with the red ball, he also made his Ranji Trophy debut.In 2021, Madhwal was one of the reserve bowlers for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the UAE leg of the season. He had been told an opportunity could open up in the unfortunate event of an injury or a Covid case. That situation didn’t arise, but Madhwal, who only two years prior, was otherwise working as a planning engineer at a construction firm in Dehradun, thought he had lived his dream. After all, he got bowl to AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.”Simply being called by my first name by two superstars who I had seen on TV was special,” a sheepish Madhwal would tell the RCB website.Madhwal was there on talent scout Malolan Rangarajan’s recommendation. Rangarajan had first seen him when he spent a season with Uttarakhand as a professional in their very first year since gaining BCCI affiliation in 2018-19. Two years later, when he went back as a scout, he remembered being impressed with Madhwal’s arm speed and deceptive pace.It turns out RCB weren’t the only team that had an eye on him. CKM Dhananjay, Mumbai Indians’ video analyst who is also known as DJ within the camp, had watched Madhwal bowl at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun and was immediately impressed. He had also received feedback from Anand Rajan, the former Madhya Pradesh seamer, who would later join Uttarakhand as bowling coach.

Madhwal was called up for a trial at Reliance’s facility in Navi Mumbai. The challenge was to quickly gauge his fitness levels. “He had been playing only tennis-ball cricket until 2018, so his physical conditioning to go through the rigours of a full season wasn’t there, so there had to be a lot of work done on him,” Rajan tells ESPNcricinfo.”Akash was raw, but he made up for it with a tremendous attitude. He bowled an excellent yorker. You could see he was skiddy, he was deceptive. As a batter, you couldn’t switch off because he would attack the stumps all the time.”Once his fitness was up to optimum levels, Madhwal began working on his skills and continued to train at Reliance’s facility. He impressed the team management enough during that time that they signed him mid-season as a replacement for Suryakumar Yadav during IPL 2022. At the time, he had picked up 15 wickets in 15 T20s.When he first came into the camp, he was asked by one of the coaches what he liked the most about fast bowling. Madhwal is believed to have said, ” [making stumps fly]”. This is something he has learnt from tennis-ball cricket, which his coach Avtar explains well.”The margin of error in tennis-ball cricket is very less and there is a lot of use of yorkers and variations,” Avtar says. “In tennis-ball cricket, due to the lightness of the ball, the speed of the ball decreases when it reaches the batsman, so the bowler tries to bowl harder. A tennis ball requires more strength from the shoulders and body. This gets bowlers used to extra load and when they play leather-ball cricket, it helps. Akash did the same.”Ahead of the 2022 season, Madhwal was handed the T20 captaincy of Uttarakhand for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His attitude to learn and carry a team that had been in the news for their association politics quickly earned him the respect of his team-mates. Manish Jha, who came in as head coach, was equally impressed.Akash Madhwal cleaned up Heinrich Klaasen at the Wankhede•BCCIEven Aditya Tare, Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy-winning captain who moved to Uttarakhand as a professional at the start of the 2022-23 season, spoke glowingly of Madhwal’s tenacity. “Leading for the first time, after every game, he used to organise get-togethers for the team,” Tare says. “It was solely his initiative and the entire team appreciated that. From the outside, it may appear, ‘Oh, but it’s just a get-together, what’s the big deal’. Uttarakhand didn’t have that culture.”They were a new team; players would come and go. But this got the team together, spent time, his initiative during Mushtaq Ali. For Akash to come up and plan this, it helped create a great vibe. The way he handled three professional players and got them on board, and used our experience was extremely welcoming.”There were many occasions where he would talk tactics with me, sometimes he would let me take over while he would field at fine leg after a spell. It struck me that he had no ego issues and was ready to put the team first. Having been a later bloomer himself, he understood the importance of giving younger players more time.”Until now, Madhwal was a bit of a novelty. Now that he is in the record books, and there’s enough footage of what he has done, teams are likely to come prepared. Madhwal argues he will be equally prepared.What he will also possibly get in Ahmedabad in his quest to deliver Mumbai a sixth IPL crown is plenty of backing, a great platform on the grandest stage and, possibly, some tips from Jasprit Bumrah, the man whose boots he has filled so admirably this season.

Amit Mishra takes his chance with a high-value haul

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

His first eight deliveries did not promise much but he quickly turned that around with smart variations

Saurabh Somani21-Apr-20211:16

Ajit Agarkar: Amit Mishra is so calm under pressure

Since the start of IPL 2020, Amit Mishra had played only four games in the tournament before he took the field for Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. He had not completed his quota of four overs in half of those games, and overall, had picked up three wickets at 33.00 and given up runs at 7.62 per over. Not particularly terrible. But not particularly great either.And, given the Capitals’ bowling resources, ‘not particularly great’ wasn’t going to cut it. They already had Kagiso Rabada, a bowler who’s expected to be among the best in the world for a decade more. R Ashwin had always been an outstanding T20 bowler. Axar Patel was that too, plus he could biff a few over the top. Injury played a big role in Mishra being absent for a large part of the previous IPL, but even if he was fit, he would have been the third-choice spinner behind Ashwin and Patel.In IPL 2021, it was Patel who was unfortunately laid low, but it meant a window of opportunity for Mishra. Realistically, he would have known that if he didn’t grab the window this tournament offered, his future in the IPL would be uncertain. In IPL 2022, would any franchise be interested in a 39-year-old leggie who hadn’t done well the previous year?Related

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It was against that background that he ran in to bowl against Mumbai, and promptly saw his first eight balls yielding 16 runs and three fours, all a combination of superb ball-striking and bowling lines going awry.Mishra had to find a way to come back. What he did, was find control. Of the ball, possibly of any emotion that was superfluous to the game at hand.In a nice symmetry of his first eight balls yielding 16 runs, his next 16 balls went for just eight runs. And netted him four humongous wickets. A free-flowing Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya off the first ball. Kieron Pollard completely undone by a googly for single digits. And then Ishan Kishan when he was the last recognised batter left, and 15 balls remained in the innings.This was not a four-wicket haul bought in the bargain-basement of tailenders and/or batters flailing in the death overs. Each of Mishra’s wickets materially affected the shape of the match. His Smart Wickets tally, which gives a more real value of wickets taken by accounting for the batters dismissed and the match situation, was 5.59. A tally much higher than the wickets he took reflected the importance of his strikes. It is the second-highest Smart Wickets tally achieved in this tournament so far, behind Rahul Chahar’s 4 for 27 against Kolkata Knight Riders, which was worth 6.34 Smart Wickets.Amit Mishra nabbed two wickets in one over to hurt the Mumbai Indians•BCCI/IPLThe dismissal of Sharma should have given an indication that Mishra had got the ball coming out of his hand exactly the way he wanted to. Sharma had shown several times earlier, and recently in the Tests against England, that he could shred oppositions even on big turners. He was looking like he would do that to the Capitals, having zoomed to 44 off 29, after having scored only 7 runs in his first 10 balls. He looked, in short, in the type of mood where on another day, this piece might have been about his sublime timing.”I always try to bowl away from his zone and deny him pace. I try to beat him in flight, make him play a shot to me that is not his strength,” Mishra said of bowling to Sharma on after the game.It’s something he has managed to do pretty well through the IPL, having removed Sharma seven times – the joint most that a bowler has dismissed a batter in the tournament. He did the same thing on Tuesday, spotting Sharma advancing down the track, and giving the ball a bit more of a rip. That not only took the ball away from Sharma, but also ensured that it turned on pitching, which meant even a batter of Sharma’s ability to hit cleanly couldn’t get more than the end of the bat on ball.Two balls later, Mishra benefitted from the batter trying to hit a good ball. The loop was working well, which meant he got the delivery to dip on Pandya, who had decided to go through with an attempted loft over long-on. The Pollard dismissal might have given him most joy, a viciously turning googly that the batter completely mis-read catching him plumb in front.”I didn’t even realise a wicket had fallen. I had just bowled a run-saving ball, so you can call it a lucky wicket,” Mishra said of his fourth scalp, Kishan, yorked outside off and dragging the ball back on.Mishra had started IPL 2021 with 160 wickets, in second place on the all-time list behind Lasith Malinga’s 170. Before the tournament, 10 wickets might have seemed a tough ask, because he couldn’t even be sure of a spot in the starting XI. One game later, he’s moved to within six wickets of Malinga, and that spot in the starting XI seems a lot more secure.

How Man Utd nearly signed Van Dijk, Haaland and a legendary Ballon d'Or winner

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Manchester United have had some of the best players of all time come through their famous academy, however, the Red Devils have also signed some icons.

Sir Alex Ferguson won races to bring Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to Old Trafford, with all three becoming Man Utd legends.

However, with those at Old Trafford always on the search for high-profile signings, they have missed out on signing some superstars over the years.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Arsenal star as "perfect" for Man Utd and tried to sign him

The Red Devils and the Gunners have had a fierce Premier League rivalry.

By
Charlie Smith

May 22, 2025

10 stars who almost signed for Man Utd

Virgil van Dijk

Now a Liverpool icon and arguably one of the best centre-backs of all time, Virgil van Dijk was wanted at Old Trafford before his move to Anfield.

Jose Mourinho wanted to make a big centre-back signing and shortlisted Van Dijk, Michael Keane and Victor Lindelof. Instead of splashing the cash on the Dutchman who was starring for Southampton, United spent more than £30m on Lindelof from Benfica.

Ronaldo

Back in 1996, Ronaldo was making his name at PSV Eindhoven at the age of 20, scoring goals for fun in the Netherlands.

He was a man in demand as a result, with Ferguson and co keen to bring him to Manchester. Ronaldo was even offered to United for £20m, however, that was seen as too much at the time, with Barcelona signing the Brazilian star instead. He went on to win the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1997 and 2002.

Ronaldinho

Another Brazilian icon who could quite easily have been a Man Utd player was Ronaldinho, with Ferguson on the search for David Beckham’s replacement in 2003.

Man Utd were looking to do a deal for Ronaldinho who was at PSG, however, after Barcelona missed out on signing Beckham, they dealt the Red Devils a blow by landing the Brazilian. United did sign an attacker that summer, though, with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Manchester.

Ronaldinho record vs Man Utd

Games

2

Losses

2

Goals

1

Assists

1

Rivaldo

Continuing the trend of Brazil stars who Man Utd missed out on takes us to Rivaldo. The Red Devils had just won the treble in 1999 and Ferguson wanted to sign the forward from Barcelona.

Winning the Ballon d’Or that year, Rivaldo’s relationship with Barca manager Louis van Gaal was not great, but United just missed out on doing a deal.

Patrick Vieira

One of Man Utd’s greatest rivals in the Premier League was Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, and United actually tried to sign the Frenchman from the Gunners on two occasions.

Ferguson believed Vieira wanted to move to Old Trafford in 2001 and 2003, and there was talk of a £22m transfer once Beckham left for Real Madrid. Instead, Vieira signed a new contract to stay with Arsene Wenger.

Eden Hazard

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard looked nailed on to sign for Man Utd in 2012 before a problem with his agent arose.

The Blues paid Lille £32m to sign the Belgian, but a deal with the Red Devils broke down after United refused to pay Hazard’s agent £6m to get the deal done.

Instead of Hazard, Man Utd signed Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

Cesc Fabregas

Involved in an altercation with Ferguson at Old Trafford, Cesc Fabregas could have worked under the Red Devils boss after he tried to sign him from Barcelona in 2003.

Man Utd then tried again in 2013 under David Moyes, however, they had two offers rejected by those at the Nou Camp, with Fabregas instead playing for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League.

Zinedine Zidane

In 1996, Zinedine Zidane was on the move from Bordeaux, and Cantona urged Ferguson and Man Utd to bring him to Old Trafford.

Former United chairman Martin Edwards said that a move failed to get over the line as Ferguson thought Zidane was not what they needed at the time, with the Frenchman instead going on to star for Juventus and Real Madrid.

Erling Haaland

Now a Manchester City superstar, Erling Haaland could have quite easily have signed for the Red Devils during the 2019/20 winter transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge at the time and knew Haaland from his time at Molde, however, despite talks over a move to Old Trafford, the Norwegian rejected Man Utd and instead signed for Borussia Dortmund.

Alan Shearer

The Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, Alan Shearer actually snubbed a move to Manchester United on two occasions. The first came in 1992 when he joined Blackburn from Southampton, and the second came four years later when he joined Newcastle.

Ferguson was personally involved in a deal to sign Shearer in 1996 and looked on course to have won the race, before Shearer’s agent called the Man Utd boss and told him they had decided to join Newcastle.

Gareth Bale

One of the most decorated British players of all time after winning five Champions League titles with Real Madrid is Wales star Gareth Bale.

However, he could have signed for Man Utd instead of Tottenham back in 2007, with talk of a £10m transfer before his move to north London. Ferguson blamed the Saints and not Bale for a deal breaking down.

فيديو | رافينها يتألق ويقود برشلونة لتخطي أوساسونا بثنائية في الدوري الإسباني

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

خاض فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، مباراته في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم موسم 2025/26، مساء يوم السبت وذلك ضد خصمه أوساسونا.

واستضاف ملعب “كامب نو” مباراة برشلونة وأوساسونا، في الجولة السادسة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، حيث حقق حامل اللقب فوزًا بهدفين دون رد.

وطالب برشلونة بضربة جزاء في الدقيقة العاشرة من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد وجود تدخل داخل المنطقة، ولكن الحكم رفض احتساب أي شيء.

وتصدى خوان جارسيا، حارس مرمى برشلونة، لفرصة هدف من أوساسونا بعد تسديدة من جانب أنتي بوديمر، من على حدود منطقة الجزاء، ولكن الإسباني نجح في الحفاظ على نظافة شباكه في ذلك الوضع في الدقيقة 19.

وكاد إريك جارسيا أن يسجل هدفًا أول لصالح برشلونة في الدقيقة 22، بعدما سدد كرة مرت بجوار القائم، بينما سجل فيران توريس هدفًا في الدقيقة 24 ولكن تقنية الفيديو تدخلت قبل إلغائه لوجود تسلل على رافينها.

وسنحت فرصة لبرشلونة في الدقيقة 40، بعدما قدم لامين يامال مجهودًا رائعًا وراوغ الدفاع وسدد الكرة من داخل المنطقة، ولكنها اصطدمت في الدفاع، لترتد وتصل إلى فيران توريس الذي سددها كمقصية ولكنها مرت بجوار القائم.

وفي بداية الشوط الثاني، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة 48، نفذ ماركوس راشفورد ضربة حرة لصالح برشلونة ولكن حارس أوساسونا تصدى للكرة بنجاح، لتتحول إلى ركنية.

وأهدر ماركوس راشفورد فرصة هدف في الدقيقة 52، بعد تمريرة من جول كوندي، وصلت إلى الإنجليزي الذي كان في وضع جيد أمام المرمى، ولكن كرته اصطدمت بالدفاع.

وتمكن برشلونة من تسجيل هدفه الأول في شباك أوساسونا، في الدقيقة 70 من عمر المباراة، عن طريق رافينها بعدما سدد كرته بطريقة رائعة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء.

ونجح برشلونة في تسجيل الهدف الثاني في شباك خصمه أوساسونا، في الدقيقة 87، عن طريق المتألق رافينها، بعدما وصلت الكرة إليه وهو في حالة تمركز أمام مرمى أوساسونا، وسددها من لمسة واحدة، معلنًا عن هدف ثان له ولكتيبة هانز فليك.

 بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد برشلونة إلى 43 نقطة في المركز الأول، بينما تجمد رصيد أوساسونا عند 15 نقطة في المركز السادس عشر.

Ex-club chief shares why West Ham must avoid Adama Traore deal after working with him

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

West Ham are looking at signing Fulham winger Adama Traoré in the January transfer window, but they’ve now been told to avoid a deal by someone who’s worked with the player.

Nuno Espírito Santo knows Traore very well from their time together at Molineux, and it was at Wolves where the 29-year-old made a serious name for himself.

Traore was near-unplayable in the 2019/2020 season especially, finishing the Premier League campaign as their best performer statistically, all whilst completing a truly incredible five successful dribbles on average per game (WhoScored).

By comparison, the best dribblers in the Premier League right now are far short of that number, with both ex-West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus and Man City’s Jeremy Doku averaging 3.4 and 3.1 take ons per 90 respectively.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Jurgen Klopp famously branded Traore’s speed as being ‘undefendable’ at times, but that being said, the 19/20 campaign was now over half a decade ago.

Since Nuno’s departure from Wolves, Traore hasn’t managed to re-live those heights on a consistent enough basis, even despite flashes of brilliance at Fulham last term. Traore finished 24/25 with two goals and nine assists in all competitions, making 41 appearances in total, but only managed a modest 1.3 successful take-ons per 90 in the Premier League.

Despite the forward’s best days appearing behind him, the obvious link to Nuno has prompted multiple reports that West Ham are keen on a winter move for Traore, who could also be available for a cut-price fee given his contract expires in 2026.

Following these claims, ex-Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness has explained exactly why West Ham need to swerve a deal for Traore this January.

West Ham told exactly why they need to swerve Adama Traore deal in January

Speaking to Football Insider, after having sold the player at Villa, Wyness explains that Traore’s lack of end product really doesn’t serve West Ham in the slightest — urging David Sullivan not to do a deal for the ex-Barcelona man out of respect for the fans.

The winger would attract mixed reviews if he did move to the London Stadium in two months, but if anyone can get the best out of him, it is definitely Nuno.

West Ham’s manager is believed to be personally keen on a reunion with Traore, and given how Nuno has finally managed to steady the ship with back-to-back victories, it is imperative that the club show faith by backing him with desired signings mid-season.

As well as Traore, West Ham want a new defender, midfielder and striker, with AC Milan’s Santiago Gimenez and Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney rumoured to be on their agenda.

Real Madrid pull the plug! Los Blancos remove Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate from summer shortlist after alarming dip in form

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Real Madrid have reportedly abruptly ended their interest in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate amid his poor form for the club. The France international is in the last year of his contract and so far has shown no signs of extending his stay on Merseyside. However, his hopes of a dream move to Los Blancos appears to be over ahead of the January transfer window.

Konate issues Liverpool rallying cry amid contract uncertainty

Last season, Liverpool appeared to be in a huge bind as key trio Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were in the last few months of their Liverpool deals. Fortunately for the Reds, captain Van Dijk and star forward Salah signed new two-year contracts, but Alexander-Arnold chose to leave, before eventually signing for Madrid. Liverpool have reportedly been trying to extend the stay of defender Konate, whose terms run until 2026, but so far, no breakthrough has been struck. The Frenchman was linked with Los Blancos earlier this year, and amid that speculation, he gave a rather coy comment on his future. 

He said a fortnight ago: "My agents continue to discuss with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it." He also rubbished claims the Reds had approached him with a new contract.

It seems, however, that this contract uncertainty has led to Konate taking his eye off the ball, with the ex-RB Leipzig man making a string of mistakes this season – the latest of which was in his side's humbling 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. 

After that loss, he wrote on social media: "We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad – the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments! Your voice and your support mean everything to us. We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always."

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesReal Madrid move on from Konate

According to The Athletic, Liverpool tried to extend Konate's deal way back in 2023. But fast forward to the present and it is uncertain where he will be playing in 2026. The report states that Madrid have informed Liverpool they now have 'no interest' in signing the 26-year-old. That could strengthen the Reds' hand in the contract negotiation stakes, although Konate will be able to talk to foreign clubs in January in regards to a possible pre-contract agreement for the summer. The former Sochaux man has chalked up 150 appearances for Liverpool, and over the years, he has been a competent ally to team-mate and fellow defender Van Dijk. Although his form has nosedived this season, manager Slot continues to pick the 6ft 4in player, partially because they are short on defensive options. Their inability to land Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is looking more and more costly.

Konate sent Liverpool contract message

Former Liverpool ace Vladimir Smicer believes that Konate should decide on his Anfield future as soon as possible. If he does that, the Frenchman's form could improve.

He told BOYLE Sports: "We've seen this last season with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah. Two players stayed, one went. Personally, I don't like this situation (with expiring contracts). I think for the players, it's better when they know their future. At the moment, I can't see if Ibrahim Konate is sure about his next move. Anytime he's not performing at the top level, the fans question his contract situation. It's normal, it will always be like this.

"If you commit your future, then the fans will say, 'Okay, maybe he was not good today' – but because the situation is like this, anytime he makes a mistake, they will say, 'He will go.' That will be in his head. We experienced this situation last season with three players, but personally, when I was playing, I always wanted a long-term contract. It's better for your confidence, for your life, for your position in the team. I knew my future, and I committed to the team. I’d like Konate to decide as soon as possible what he's going to do in the future."

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AFPWhat comes next for Konate?

With Madrid pulling the plug on a potential Konate move, the France ace will hope to fire Liverpool to victory this weekend away at lowly West Ham. Subsequent games against Sunderland and Leeds United could reportedly determine the fate of Reds boss Slot.

Former Man City star retires! Midfielder hangs up boots after winning five Premier League titles

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Fernandinho has officially decided to bring down the curtain on an extraordinary career, drawing to a close more than two decades at the top of the game and a trophy cabinet that places him among Manchester City’s most decorated players of all time. The former Brazil international, now 40, confirmed he will not continue playing, ending speculation that had lingered since his return to Athletico Paranaense in 2022.

A career built on brilliance and relentless standards

Fernandinho spent nine seasons at Manchester City after arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, where he had already earned six Ukrainian league titles and a UEFA Cup. Under Manuel Pellegrini and later Pep Guardiola, he became the anchor of City's midfield. Known for his exceptional reading of the game, immaculate tackling, and unrivalled positional awareness, his influence allowed the club’s creative talents to flourish. Across 383 City appearances, Fernandinho lifted five Premier League titles, six League Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA fitting final chapter in Brazil

After leaving Manchester in 2022, Fernandinho went home, rejoining Athletico Paranaense, the club that first introduced him to professional football. His playing time naturally declined as the seasons passed, and the midfielder had not featured since December 2024 in a league match against Atletico Mineiro. Speaking after a charity game this week at the club’s stadium, he made clear his body had given him its final warning. 

"I’m already tired. I ran for 30-something minutes today and I’m exhausted," he said. "There’s nothing in football that motivates me anymore. I’ve achieved everything I could. Now it’s time to enjoy my family."

The 40-year-old added that his departure came after he and the club failed to reach an agreement on a new deal. 

"We didn’t reach an agreement for a new contract, and that’s the most natural thing in the world. I’ve never hidden my gratitude, my respect and affection for Athletico, especially their fans," he said. 

Guardiola was blindsided with his Man City exit

When Fernandinho left City, he had not initially informed Guardiola about his decision. 

"I didn’t know it," the manager told reporters during a press conference. "You gave me the news. We will see what will happen at the end of the season. I said many times we will see what happens. I said at the end of the season we will talk – maybe it is a family decision, maybe he wants more minutes. I would love to be with him."

Guardiola suggested that the then sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, might have been aware of the development.

"Maybe Txiki knows it and didn’t tell me," Guardiola said. "I don’t know. It is a surprise for me; I will say to him [Txiki]: 'What happened?' But I know his [Fernandinho’s] intentions. Another player would do it for his benefit. Knowing Ferna, it will not be this.

"I want the happiness of my players and absolutely we are going to play tomorrow for him and give him the best farewell moment, reaching again the semi‑final of the Champions League and try to go through again. I understand the players want to play, it is completely understandable. Not just because he is 35 or 36. Look what happened with Ferran Torres: he wanted to play so joined Barcelona. I understand Ferna wants go back to Brazil, with his father and mother there, and I am pretty sure the club is going to help him do what he wants."

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AFPWhat comes next for Fernandinho?

Attention now shifts to Fernandinho’s future beyond the pitch. The Brazilian has previously expressed interest in coaching, and Manchester City have a history of integrating former players into roles across their academy, global network or ambassadorial programmes. With his intimate knowledge of Guardiola’s system, he would be a valuable addition should he choose to pursue the coaching path. However, as he mentioned, right now, he would opt for a quieter period dedicated to family life, after spending years at the elite level. 

Yankees Fan Ejected After Trying to Pry Fly Ball Out of Mookie Betts's Glove

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

A New York Yankees fan who likely paid thousands of dollars for a front-row seat at Game 4 of the World Series has been ushered out of the ballpark after just three outs.

In the bottom of the first inning, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball down the right-field line. Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts chased it down and caught it at the wall in foul territory.

After Betts caught the ball, a fan in the front row grabbed his glove with two hands and ripped the ball out of his possession. Fan interference was called, Torres was ruled out, and that fan was quickly ushered out of Yankee Stadium.

That will go down as one of the strangest player-fan moments in World Series history.

The New York faithful haven't had much to cheer for in the 2024 World Series, as Los Angeles won the first three games and took a 2–0 lead in Game 4 on Freddie Freeman's first-inning home run.

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